Background: Psychological distress, including stress, anxiety, and depression, is highly prevalent among university students, particularly those in healthcare disciplines such as pharmacy. Academic demands and lifestyle factors may contribute significantly to students’ mental health.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among pharmacy students and to examine their association with academic level, academic performance, and lifestyle factors such as sleep duration and caffeine consumption.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 pharmacy students at Al-Nahrain University, Iraq. Psychological distress was assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Data on demographic, academic, and lifestyle variables were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric tests and multiple linear regression to identify significant predictors.
Results: A high prevalence of psychological distress was observed among students. Female students reported significantly higher stress (p = 0.045) and anxiety (p = 0.032) scores compared to males, while no significant difference was observed in depression. Academic level was significantly associated with psychological distress, with students in higher academic years demonstrating higher scores. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that academic level was a consistent predictor for total DASS and anxiety, while gender was associated with stress and anxiety. Academic grade (level 3) was significantly associated with lower depression scores (p = 0.024). Sleep duration and caffeine consumption were not significant predictors. Overall, regression models showed low explanatory power (R² < 10%).
Conclusion: Psychological distress among pharmacy students is influenced by academic level and gender, while lifestyle factors showed limited predictive value. These findings highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions and academic support programs to improve student well-being.